Nika Gvaramia, the founder of the opposition-minded Mtavari Arkhi, says that he has been ready for imprisonment for a long time and it is not difficult for him to be arrested, because he has a moral advantage.
“Imprisonment did not turn out to be difficult, because when you realize [that you will be arrested], you are ready – and I have been ready for that for a long time; when I have a moral advantage and I feel right, then it is not difficult for me. Even now I do not find it difficult. I can’t say that I’m glad to be here, but if you tell me what the situation is like, it is a prison, an ordinary prison, with completely normal people,” Gvaramia told Eka Kvesitadze, the host of the Mtavari Arkhi TV channel, in a telephone interview.
“In my opinion, by arresting me, the Georgian Dream arrested itself and, unfortunately, delayed Georgia’s European development,” he added.
This was the first (telephone) interview with Gvaramia since his arrest.
On May 16, the former General Director of Rustavi 2 TV was sentenced by the Tbilisi City Court to 3 years and 6 months in prison.
He was arrested by police in the courtroom and taken to jail.
Judge Lasha Chkhikvadze announced the decision.
He was found guilty of “abuse of power”, which the defense calls absurd.
The Public Defender says Gvaramia’s actions do not include a crime.
By Ana Dumbadze
